The Karlsruhe Moviemap was commissioned by the Zentrum fur
Kunst und Medientechnologie (ZKM), a state-funded arts and media
lab in the town of Karlsruhe, Germany. Karlsruhe has a well-known
tramway system, with over 100 km of track snaking from the downtown
pedestrian area out to neighboring villages at the edge of the Black
Forest.

The entire tram system was shot in both directions from a tramcar
outfitted with a camera triggered by the tram's electronic odometer
(at 2, 4 and 8 meters per frame depending on location). The tracks
assure unrivaled stability and match-cuts.

One intention was to abstract rather than simulate reality, to provide
an experience not possible in the real world: the system allows
continuous speeds up to one kilometer per second.

Another intention was to produce something collaboratively with
and for the community. The Karlsruhe Moviemap has a different meaning
and resonance to people who live in the Karlsruhe region, and this
is obvious to observe.

"Karlsruhe Movie Map 09" is a complete reshoot of the Karlsruhe Moviemap in 2009 by the ZKM, transforming the original installation into a "then and now"
experience.